bruno -- maureen. >> we're live at city hall where a special council meeting is on its way. there's only one thing on the agenda and that's to approve a disaster area. it is very clear to be the that nerves are heightened around the bay area. >> we're going to take shelter in place. >> reporter: fear and panic set in this morning after parents reported smelling gas at this elementary school, less than a mile from the san bruno explosion. >> the school staff contacted pg & e on pg & e's assessment and recommendation they said we should evacuate the student body and staff. >> reporter: the 500 students at portola elementary school were taken out of classrooms and taken away in school buses. >> we got our folks out here, the first thing they did was check the meter. they found there was no leak at the gas meter. >> classes were cancelled for the day. parents were visibly shaken as they picked up their children. >> a feeling for our safety whenever they smell a gas leak that we immediately react on it. so i think it's pretty good for a safety precaution. >> reporter: the áf at